Thursday May 16 Art Center Happenings

MARK THE DATES!!

Mark your calendars, as of SRAC's last Business Meeting, dates were locked in for the Club's outdoor shows in Sebastian's Riverview Park as follows (Saturdays with one exception): 

October 19

November 16

December 14

January 11

February 15-16 (Sat & Sun)

March 22

April 12.

Mark your calendar also for a demonstration by SRAC member Richard Ramirez, who will be doing something pottery-related.  Date is set for Tuesday, June 11, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  FREE!
NOTE - Just got more information on this demonstration.  Richard Ramirez, with an impressive resume of over 36 years in the California Public School System specializing in in Art/Ceramics, he will demonstrate the basics of hand-building in clay.  Richard will also be raffling off some ceramic items at the end of the presentation.  Don't miss this one--Richard is a master potter!

Pottery by Richard Ramirez

Another one to mark your calendar for is Joe Miller's woodcarving demonstration, May 30th,  1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  FREE!
For more information about Joe Miller's Woodcarving Demonstration, scroll down on this blog.

Here's another opportunity for members of SRAC - new member Kristen Beck announced at the SRAC Business Meeting that she would love to have some people painting plein air at an oudoor event, "Expedition Florida 500" at the Riverview Park in Sebastian June 5th.  Paddleboarder Justin Riney will be arriving at 4:00, at the Park, as part of his paddleboarding trip to increase awareness of the state of our waterways, primarily Indian River Lagoon.  Since October is "National Wildlife Month," paintings with a wildlife or Lagoon theme will be featured at the Art Center in October.  If you are interested in participating in this plein air event call Kristen.
In March Kristen will facilitate a trip to Pelican Island for SRAC members, a photo-op which will giveus all plenty of pelican images to paint in the future--perhaps leading to a Pelican Exhibition--wouldn't that be just too appropriate for our beloved Sebastian!  Let's do it!

PORTRAITS--OF INTEREST
If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to view this blogger's time-lapse portrait video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLf7ACVaJk&feature=youtu.be

If you attended the multi-media portrait demonstrations at the SRAC in the fall, you will surely appreciate watching this 4-1/2 hour portrait painting demonstration condensed into ONE MINUTE!!
Turn volume up, and to see full screen click on the little square brackets on the lower right corner of the video screen.  A shamelless plug for this blogger's art gallery--The Artists Guild Gallery on 14th Ave, VB, will have a special Self-Portrait show for June, with opening reception June 7, 5-8 pm.

----------------------------------

And now for  May 16th's blog entry . . .

Today this blogger had art class, and it was exciting to see the different artworks, methods and mediums in progress - An acrylic Indian, oil of a tall horse, vivid coleus, a tropical scene, and a stormy night.  It's hard to keep their brush out of my hands because it all looks like such fun.

At the request of a member, I did a water-soluble oil demonstration of a small still life.  Below is how far I got, and it was great fun to see them watch it come to life, and hopefully inspiring them to try this easy-to-use and non-toxic medium.

Unfinished water-soluble oil painting by Judy Burgarella

Member Grace Savage brought her plein air painting which was painted during the SRAC's Celebrate the Arts Paint-out in the park in back of the Clubhouse on april 27th.  Grace struggled with this painting, but having plein-aired with her before I knew it would end up being a knockout.  And it is as you can see below.   Fresh and colorful, with bold strokes and great composition.  She really didn't have much to work with at the  location where she was standing.  Great job Grace!

Woodland Trail View, oil by Grace Savage

The light at the Art Center is great for painting, as is the views out the doors and windows, as you can see with this curious visitor who stayed just long enough for me to snap this shot.  We've had sandhill cranes come to the door a-beggin' also.  Just adds to the lovely day spent at the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center, which was bustling with activity today.  And thanks to Vito for his delicious chicken curry ... and Suzie for the crunchy cake and good coffee.  Stop by some time and we'll pour you a cup.  The Art Center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays 11-3:00, and our Open Studios in the Art Center's Meeting Room is open for painting and hanging out Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-3:00.

A Curious visitor at our door

Oh, and Bon Voyage to Peni and Laurie!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center

Woodcarver Joe Miller Workshop Coming!

"Crappie" Bass wood Woodcarving by Joe Miller

A free woodcarving demonstration will be given at the Sebastian River Art Club Art Center on May 30th, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, given by Joe Miller, who currently has many wood carvings on display in the Club's Art Center.  Joe will show you the fundamentals of creating something beautiful from wood.   His show will be dismantled right after the demonstration, so be sure to get to the Art Center before this show is gone.

Joe took up the art of woodcarving seriously about twelve years ago, and turned a pastime into his life's passion, and he shares this passion with anyone who will listen.  As president of the Indian River Woodcarvers, he has overseen the progress of many emerging wood artisans, and he continues to be an inspiration to his students and fans alike.  Joe will have a sign-up sheet at the demonstration for those who would like to take classes from him.

Joe's Indian River Woodcarvers group carve beautiful canes and walking sticks for the Purple Heart veterans, and the carvers present each veteran with a personalized walking stick and a certificate showing the service branch, rank, military medals received and places served.  Of note also, one of Joe's walking sticks was used as a prop in "Pirates of the Carribbean."  Joe maintains a studio/gallery at Art Mundo, in Downtown Fort Pierce, where he shows all his beautiful pieces and teaches woodcarving.  To see more of his work visit www.joemillerwoodcarver.com, and for information about his demo or classes contact him at 617-623-6057.  Classes will also be forming soon in Zentangle, a new art for using lines to form patterns, given by Francesca Pratten.

The SRAC Art Center is located at 1245 Main Street, 2 blocks west of Route 1 in Sebastian.  Hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays 11:00-3:00.  Classes in most drawing and painting mediums are available. For more information about joining the Sebastian River Art Club, or for information about our art classes call 772-581-8281.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club
SRAC VP & Art Center Chair

" I feel that God’s sunlight on a single blade of grass 

is such a miracle and is so difficult to capture in paint, 

it is worth a lifetime of trying."

Paul Strisk, Artist – 1918-1998

House Pets and Gardens

(P-s-s-s-t!  Don't forget, the reception for the Woodcarver Show Saturday, May 11th, 2-5 pm--join us for refreshments and talk to the Master Carvers!!  Other artist members of the Sebastian River Art Club will be onhand to talk art with you and show you around)

Tomorrow (Monday) the carpets will be cleaned in the art Center, due to some water problems the building was experiencing last month which soaked the rugs in two of our exhibit rooms.  Because of that, our March theme did not get voted on, wich was "House Pets."  So at the end of April everyone had to vote on two themes, with April being "Gardens."  Below are some of the ribbon-winners:

Ann Emery's oil painting of two kittens - 2nd place House Pets

Mary Rahmig's "Hollyhocks" took 3rd place in "Gardens"

Patti Goins oil Lilipond, First Place Gardens

Vito Derasmo's watercolor of two dogs, 3rd place Pets

Peni Baker's Acrylic of "Avocado Cottage" 2nd Place Gardens

Kathleen richter's Acrylic of "Kitty in the Garden" 1st Place House Pets

Don't forget to join us for an opening reception for the Woodcarver's show this Saturday, 2-5:00.  Enjoy refreshments and the camaraderie of artists and people who just love art.  Lots of creative energy in the Sebastian River Art Club, so come see what we're up to.  SRAC's Art Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-3:00, and most Saturdays 11-3:00.  Open studio in the meeting room Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-3:00.  772-581-8281.  Website - www.sebastianriverartclub.org (currently under construction).

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center